Weather experts give chances of seeing Northern Lights in London tonight, Saturday May 11

Ben Hurst & Chris Ballinger
·3-min read
People visit St Mary's lighthouse in Whitley Bay to see the aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights, on May 10, 2024 in Whitley Bay, England. The UK met office said a strong solar storm may allow northern parts of the UK the chance to see displays of aurora
The incredibly rare Northern Lights display across the UK on Friday night (May 10) brought groups of people out of their homes to get a glimpse -Credit:Ian Forsyth/Getty Images


Londoners across the city will be looking out of their windows and standing outside in their gardens with bated breath on Saturday night (May 11) after the incredible Northern Lights night sky that could be seen on Friday. The Northern Lights stunned most of the UK overnight thanks to an “extreme” geomagnetic storm.

Delighted households all over London and the rest of the UK have been sharing pictures of the amazing display all morning. The stunning phenomenon was captured by people groups of people gathering to catch a glimpse of the lights which appeared from around 11.30pm on Friday, May 10.

But the big question for those who missed it is will they still be seen tonight (Saturday May 11)? ITV News meteorologist and weather presenter Chris Page said it is possible the Northern Lights will be visible this evening across the UK and Wales.

READ MORE: Londoners dazzled by Northern Lights dancing above the capital

The aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, glow on the horizon at Another Place by Anthony Gormley, Crosby Beach, Liverpool , Merseyside . Picture date: Friday May 10, 2024
The best time to spot the Northern Lights tends to be between 10pm and 2am. -Credit:Peter Byrne/PA Wire

“Activity is expected to slowly decline, however there is a good chance (cloud permitting) you’ll be able to see it again tonight,” he said. Met Office spokesperson Stephen Dixon said the conditions that allowed the Northern Lights to appear on Friday night could be replicated on Saturday, but that the exact locations were still unknown.

“We still have to work out some details on where exactly that will be,” Mr Dixon said. The combination of clear skies and enhanced activity from the sun reaching Earth would improve the chances of seeing the display, he added.

Chris Snell, a meteorologist at the Met Office, advised those hoping to see the lights on Saturday to head to an area with low light pollution and to use a good camera, adding: “The best chance you have of seeing the lights is if you are away from street lights and areas with lots of light pollution, as any type of light does have a big effect.”

“Also, at this time of year, we are fighting the shorter length of nights, so it is unlikely that they will be visible until around 10.30pm or 11 o’clock when it gets really dark.”

The best time to spot the Northern Lights tends to be between 10pm and 2am. Last night’s sightings have reached as far as Ireland, with the Irish weather service Met Eireann posting images of the lights in Dublin and at Shannon Airport in Co Clare.

Kathleen Cunnea, in Great Horkesley, Essex, said: “It was absolutely stunning to see.” The visibility of the Northern Lights was increased on Friday because of an “extreme” geomagnetic storm, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The NOAA said the G5 geomagnetic storm, which is considered extreme and is the strongest level of geomagnetic storm, hit earth on Thursday and could affect communications, GPS and power grids. The cause of this storm is a “large, complex” sunspot cluster and is 17 times the diameter of earth, with the last storm with a G5 rating hitting earth in October 2003, causing power outages in Sweden.

Aurora displays occur when charged particles collide with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere around the magnetic poles. In the northern hemisphere, most of this activity takes place within a band known as the aurora oval, covering latitudes between 60 and 75 degrees.

When activity is strong, this expands to cover a greater area – which explains why displays can be occasionally seen as far south as the UK.

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